DECOYS. 63 



for the bottom of the decoy, and to this is nailed, 

 at right-angles and lengthwise, another piece of 

 board, cut to represent a vertical section of that 

 portion of the decoy above water, the under edge 

 being left straight to fit the bottom piece ; pieces 

 of flat barrel-hoops, or similar elastic material, 

 are now bent over the top crosswise, and fast- 

 ened to the bottom board about three to four 

 inches apart by tacking, thus forming a frame- 

 work for the decoy. This is now to be covered 

 smoothly with strong cotton cloth, and the edges 

 pinned securely ; the head, which is made of wood, 

 being fastened in proper position on the edge 

 of the vertical board, and the decoy, after being 

 painted and thus rendered perfectly waterproof, is 

 complete. Ballast, however, is usually added to 

 keep them erect in rough weather. These de- 

 coys are generally made three or four times the 

 size of the natural duck for greater show, and 

 are a great advantage over the life-sized wood- 

 en ones on this account, coot being uncom- 

 monly foolish ducks, so much so that " silly as 

 a coot" has become a frequent expression of the 

 coast-gunners when speaking of a light-headed or 

 tipsy person. This pattern of decoys 1 would not 

 recommend for Western gunners, unless it be for 



